Drying device, coating apparatus and battery production system

Abstract

The present application relates to a drying device, a coating apparatus and a battery production system. The drying device comprises at least two layers of drying oven, wherein the at least two layers of drying oven are stacked in a height direction of the drying device, and the layers of drying oven have independent internal spaces; the layers of drying oven are longitudinally arranged in the same direction, and each have an inlet and an outlet arranged opposite each other in the longitudinal direction; and in any two adjacent layers of drying oven, the inlet of one layer of drying oven and the outlet of the other layer of drying oven are located on the same side of the drying device in the longitudinal direction. In the present application, each layer of drying oven forms a part of the drying route of the drying device, and the at least two layers of drying oven are stacked in the height direction of the drying device, such that the drying route of the drying device is formed by the drying routes of all the layers of drying oven, but the occupied area of the drying device is equal to the occupied area of one layer of drying oven, such that the drying device has greatly reduced occupied area while having the same length of drying route.

Description

Drying equipment, coating equipment and battery production systems

[0001] Cross-references

[0002] This application refers to Chinese Patent Application No. 2023221449000, filed on August 10, 2023, entitled “Drying Device, Coating Equipment and Battery Production System”, which is incorporated into this application in its entirety by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of batteries, and in particular to a drying device, coating equipment and a battery production system. Background Art

[0004] Energy conservation and emission reduction are key to the sustainable development of the automotive industry. Electric vehicles, due to their energy-saving and environmentally friendly advantages, have become an important component of the sustainable development of the automotive industry. For electric vehicles, battery technology is a key factor in their development.

[0005] Electrode sheets are the core components of batteries. During production, active material slurry is coated onto a coiled substrate, which is then dried using a drying device. Traditional drying equipment typically requires a long drying path to prevent cracking in the coating layer, resulting in a large drying footprint.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of the above problems, the present application provides a drying device, a coating device and a battery production system, which can reduce the floor space occupied by the drying device.

[0008] In a first aspect, the present application provides a drying apparatus comprising at least two layers of ovens stacked along the height of the drying apparatus, with the interior spaces of each layer of ovens being independent of one another. Each layer of ovens is arranged longitudinally in the same direction and has an inlet and an outlet arranged longitudinally opposite each other. In any two adjacent layers of ovens, the inlet of one layer and the outlet of the other layer are located on the same side of the drying apparatus in the longitudinal direction.

[0009] In the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, each layer of ovens forms part of the drying route of the drying device, and at least two layers of ovens are stacked in the height direction of the drying device, so that the drying route of the drying device is the sum of the drying routes of all layers of ovens, but its footprint is only the footprint of one layer of ovens. Under the same length of drying routes, the footprint of the drying device is greatly reduced.

[0010] In some embodiments, at least two layers of ovens are configured to be independently controlled. In this way, the drying device can be used for material strips that require segmented control of drying conditions, and the drying device has wider adaptability.

[0011] In some embodiments, each layer of the oven includes a belt conveyor assembly and a drying device, and the drying devices of each layer of the oven are located on the same side of the belt conveyor assembly in the height direction of the oven. In this way, the material strip can be dried on both sides, making the drying device suitable for coating equipment with double-sided coating.

[0012] In some embodiments, at least one drying oven layer includes a first conveyor assembly arranged along a predetermined path that zigzags from an entrance to an exit of the oven. This zigzag path can extend the drying path of the oven, which, given the same drying path, can help reduce the floor space occupied by the drying apparatus.

[0013] In some embodiments, the preset path is arranged to reciprocate in the height direction. In this case, the first belt transport assembly is arranged along the preset path that curves back and forth upwards and downwards. This creates a longer drying path within the limited space of the drying oven, which helps to improve the drying path of the drying device, and enhances the drying efficiency and drying effect of the drying device. Furthermore, the reciprocating movement in the height direction fully utilizes the height space, thereby helping to reduce the width of the oven and the floor space occupied by the drying device.

[0014] In some embodiments, at least one drying oven layer includes a first drying device. The first drying device includes multiple drying sections disposed on the inner top wall or inner bottom wall of the oven and spaced apart along the longitudinal direction. In this case, the first drying device includes multiple drying sections, each of which can be spaced apart along a predetermined path and on the same side of the material strip. This allows for more uniform heating of the same surface of the material strip along the predetermined path, resulting in improved drying quality in the oven.

[0015] In some embodiments, the oven including the first belt transport assembly further includes a first drying device. The first belt transport assembly encloses at least one first compartment, which is open toward the drying section, and each first compartment extends into a corresponding drying section. In this case, because each drying section extends into each first compartment, the same surface of the material web passing through a predetermined path can be dried. In other words, the oven can be used to dry a single surface of the material web. Furthermore, the material web can pass through most of the area surrounding the drying section, resulting in high drying efficiency and improved energy utilization.

[0016] In some embodiments, the drying section includes an air supply cavity and multiple air nozzles. The air supply cavity is arranged vertically and deep, and the multiple air nozzles are spaced apart along the periphery of the air supply cavity. Each air nozzle is positioned to open toward the belt conveyor assembly within the oven. In this case, the drying section utilizes the air supply cavity and the air nozzles to divert the air within the air supply cavity, resulting in a larger drying range and higher energy efficiency.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first tape transport assembly includes multiple rollers spaced sequentially along the tape path. The multiple rollers include multiple first rollers, each of which is positioned opposite an opening of an air nozzle. Because the first rollers are positioned opposite the air nozzle, the impact force exerted on the web by the hot / cold air jets from the nozzles can be offset by the first rollers, thereby improving the quality of the web.

[0018] In some embodiments, air nozzles are correspondingly arranged between two adjacent first rollers on the preset path. In this case, the air supply position of the air nozzles on the material belt is increased, and the drying effect and drying efficiency of the material belt are better.

[0019] In some embodiments, the plurality of rollers further includes a plurality of second rollers. A second roller is disposed between two sets of first rollers on opposite sides of two adjacent drying sections. Both adjacent drying sections include air nozzles that blow air toward the second rollers. In this case, both adjacent drying sections include air nozzles that blow air toward the openings of the second rollers. This allows the web to be dried effectively while it is traveling through the turning area, resulting in a better drying effect.

[0020] In some embodiments, the oven including the first conveyor assembly further comprises at least one divider plate, one of the at least one divider plate and the plurality of drying sections being located on the inner top wall, and another being located on the inner bottom wall. The first conveyor assembly further encloses at least one second compartment, the second compartment being arranged longitudinally with the first compartment, and the second compartment being open away from the drying section. The at least one divider plate is longitudinally spaced to form a plurality of temperature control zones, each of which extends into a corresponding second compartment. The drying sections located within each temperature control zone are configured to have their operating states independently controlled.

[0021] At this time, partition plates are used to divide the space inside the oven into multiple temperature control zones. The working attitude of the drying section in each temperature control zone is independently controlled, which enables the oven to achieve a working state in which different drying controls are performed on each section of the material belt.

[0022] In a second aspect, the present application provides a battery comprising a coating device and the above-mentioned drying device.

[0023] In some embodiments, the coating device includes a front coating device and a back coating device, which are located on opposite sides of the drying device in the longitudinal direction. The front coating device and the inlet located on the same side of the drying device are used to perform a coating operation on the front side of the material strip entering one of the inlets, and the back coating device and the outlet located on the same side of the drying device are used to perform a coating operation on the back side of the material strip exiting one of the outlets.

[0024] In this case, the coating equipment can coat both the front and back sides of the strip, achieving double-sided coating of the strip. Moreover, the front and back sides of the strip are coated in separate steps, so the back side slurry can be applied after the front side slurry is completely dried, and the back side slurry can be completely dried, which helps to improve the drying effect of the strip.

[0025] In a third aspect, the present application provides a battery production system, which includes the above-mentioned coating equipment.

[0026] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present application. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the present application, it can be implemented in accordance with the contents of the specification. In order to make the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present application are listed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the drawings without inventive work. In the drawings:

[0028] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiment below. The accompanying drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not to be considered as limiting the present application. The same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to represent the same components. In the drawings:

[0029] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a drying device according to one or more embodiments.

[0030] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of the structure shown in FIG1 .

[0031] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of a coating device according to one or more embodiments.

[0032] The reference numerals in the specific embodiments are as follows: 1000, coating equipment; 100, drying device; 10, oven; 10a, upper oven; 10b, lower oven; I, inlet; O, outlet; Z, height direction; Y, longitudinal direction; B1, inner top wall; B2, inner bottom wall; 11, tape transport assembly; 11A, first tape transport assembly; F, preset path; Q1, first interval area; Q2, second interval area; 11a, roller; a1, first roller; a2, second roller; a3, third roller; 12, drying device; 12A, first drying device 12b, drying section; b1, air supply cavity; b2, air nozzle; 13, partition plate; Q3, temperature control zone; 200, coating device; 200a, front coating device; 200b, back coating device; 300, unwinding mechanism; 400, winding device; L, material strip; L1, front side; L2, back side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following embodiments of the technical solution of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present application and are therefore only examples and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application.

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs; the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application; the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof in the specification and claims of this application and the above-mentioned figure descriptions are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

[0035] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the use of technical terms such as "first" and "second" is solely for distinguishing different objects and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity, specific order, or primary and secondary relationship of the technical features indicated. In the description of the embodiments of this application, the meaning of "plurality" is more than two, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0036] References herein to "embodiments" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it constitute an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is understood, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0037] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "and / or" is used to describe the association relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this document, if it appears, generally indicates that the related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0038] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, if it appears, the term "multiple" refers to more than two (including two). Similarly, "multiple groups" refers to more than two groups (including two groups), and "multiple pieces" refers to more than two pieces (including two pieces).

[0039] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, if any, technical terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", and "circumferential" indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be understood as limitations on the embodiments of the present application.

[0040] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, technical terms such as "installed," "connected," "connected," and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integration; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; internal connections between two components or interactions between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application based on specific circumstances.

[0041] A battery cell is the smallest unit of a battery, and the electrode sheet is the core component of the cell. The electrode sheets and separators are wound / stacked to form an electrode assembly, which is housed in a housing. The housing is then filled with electrolyte to create a battery cell. The electrode sheet typically consists of a substrate and active material coated on both sides of the substrate. The substrate must be conductive and capable of collecting current. The active material participates in an electrochemical reaction to generate an electric current.

[0042] During the electrode production process, the substrate strip is typically unwound through an unwinding mechanism. A slurry containing active materials is then applied to the substrate by a coating device. This is then dried in a drying device to solidify the active materials on the substrate before being reeled back into the reeling mechanism. Traditional drying devices typically convey the strip along a linear path in a horizontal plane. To mitigate issues such as poor drying or even cracking of the coating layer caused by excessive conveying speeds, these drying devices typically have long drying circuits, which occupies a large floor space.

[0043] In order to reduce the floor space of the drying device, it may be considered to extend the drying path of the drying device in the height direction, thereby shortening the drying path in the horizontal direction.

[0044] Based on this, in order to reduce the floor space occupied by the drying device, an embodiment of the present application provides a drying device, which is provided by at least two layers of ovens arranged upper and lower. In the two adjacent layers of ovens, the inlet of one layer of ovens and the outlet of the other layer of ovens are located on the same side of the drying device. The material strip discharged from the oven on one side can be conveniently entered into the other layer of ovens for further drying. Compared with the single-layer oven structure, the drying route of the material strip can be extended and the floor space occupied is smaller.

[0045] The drying device in the embodiment of the present application can be used to dry the electrode, and can also be used to dry other material strips such as coated plastic films, steel strips, etc. Of course, the drying device can also be used to dry uncoated material strips.

[0046] The drying device of the embodiment of the present application can be used in conjunction with a coating device to form a coating apparatus. The coating apparatus is used to form a stable coating on a strip substrate. The coating apparatus is used to apply a slurry to the substrate, and the drying apparatus can dry the slurry-coated strip to solidify the slurry and form a coating. In addition, the coating apparatus may also include a reeling mechanism and a reeling mechanism. Typically, the uncoated strip is unwound by the reeling mechanism, passed through the coating device and drying device, and then reeled into the reeling mechanism.

[0047] The battery production system disclosed in the embodiments of this application, including the above-mentioned coating equipment, can be used for coating production of electrode sheets. Of course, the battery production system may also include die-cutting equipment, slitting equipment, and correction equipment. For other specific configurations of the battery production system, please refer to the conventional settings.

[0048] The drying device provided in the embodiments of the present application is described in detail below.

[0049] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a drying device according to one or more embodiments.

[0050] According to one or more embodiments of the present application, referring to FIG. 1 , a drying apparatus 100 provided in an embodiment of the present application includes at least two layers of ovens 10 stacked along the height direction Z of the drying apparatus 100, with the interior spaces of the ovens 10 in each layer being independent of one another. The ovens 10 in each layer are arranged longitudinally in the same direction and each has an inlet I and an outlet O arranged opposite each other in the longitudinal direction Y. For any two adjacent layers of ovens 10, the inlet I of one layer and the outlet O of the other layer are located on the same side of the drying apparatus 100 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0051] The height direction Z of the drying apparatus 100 generally corresponds to the direction of gravity. At least two layers of ovens 10 are stacked along the height direction Z of the drying apparatus 100 and extend along the same longitudinal direction Y. The longitudinal direction Y generally corresponds to the length direction of the drying apparatus 100. The number of layers of ovens 10 can be two, three, four, or even more.

[0052] The oven 10 is a device that is enclosed and has an internal space, and the internal space serves as a baking space, and is used to heat and dry the material strip L passing through its internal space. Typically, a belt conveyor assembly 11 is provided in the oven 10 for guiding the material strip L. The belt conveyor assembly 11 can be, but is not limited to, a roller 11a assembly, a conveyor belt assembly, etc. Typically, a drying device 12 is also provided in the oven 10. The drying device 12 can be a drying device in the form of heat radiation, hot air / cold air, etc., and the specific type can be selected conventionally. The oven 10 has an inlet I and an outlet O. The material strip L enters its internal space through the inlet I and then exits its internal space through the outlet O.

[0053] Each layer of the ovens 10 has an internal space, and the internal spaces of each layer of the ovens 10 are independent of each other, that is, the internal spaces of each layer of the ovens 10 are not directly connected. In this way, each layer of the ovens 10 can provide different drying environments for the material L, such as different humidity, different temperature, different wind speed, etc.

[0054] Because each layer of ovens 10 extends along the same longitudinal direction Y, the projected areas of each layer of ovens 10 on the ground can basically overlap each other, resulting in a smaller overall footprint. Typically, the width dimensions of the ovens 10 are consistent, and the width direction is approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Y and the height direction Z.

[0055] In any two adjacent layers of ovens 10, the inlet I of one layer of ovens 10 and the outlet O of the other layer of ovens 10 are located on the same side of the drying apparatus 1000 in the longitudinal direction Y. The two adjacent layers of ovens 10 are respectively an upper oven 10a and a lower oven 10b. One arrangement is: the inlet I of the upper oven 10a and the outlet O of the lower oven 10b are both located on the left side of the drying apparatus 1000 in the longitudinal direction Y, and the outlet O of the upper oven 10a and the inlet I of the lower oven 10b are both located on the right side of the drying apparatus 1000 in the longitudinal direction Y. Another arrangement is: the inlet I of the lower oven 10b and the outlet O of the upper oven 10a are both located on the left side of the drying apparatus 1000 in the longitudinal direction Y, and the outlet O of the lower oven 10b and the inlet I of the upper oven 10a are both located on the right side of the drying apparatus 1000 in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0056] In actual operation, the material strip L enters from the inlet I of one layer of the drying ovens 10, is dried, and then is discharged from the outlet O of the drying oven 10 on that layer. It then enters from the inlet I of another adjacent layer of the drying ovens 10, is dried, and then is discharged from the outlet O of the adjacent layer of the drying ovens 10. In this way, the material strip L can be transferred from one layer of the drying ovens 10 to another adjacent layer of the drying ovens 10 on the same side of the drying apparatus 100, making the transfer of the material strip L more convenient and simple. The same material strip L can be transferred between different layers of the drying ovens 10, extending the drying route of the material strip L and improving the drying efficiency of the material strip L.

[0057] In the above-mentioned drying device 100, each layer of ovens 10 forms a partial drying route of the drying device 100, and at least two layers of ovens 10 are stacked in the height direction Z of the drying device 100, so that the drying route of the drying device 100 is the sum of the drying routes of all layers of ovens 10, but its floor area is only the floor area of ​​one layer of ovens 10. Under the same length of drying routes, the floor area of ​​the drying device 100 is greatly reduced.

[0058] The "drying route" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application refers to the path that the material strip L needs to take when it is running in the oven 10 / drying device 100. The "material strip L" refers to a strip-shaped, retractable structure.

[0059] In some embodiments, at least two layers of ovens 10 are configured for independent control. Independent control of ovens 10 means that the drying environment of each oven 10 is not affected by the drying environment of other ovens 10, and each oven 10 can independently adjust its own drying environment. The drying environment includes drying time, drying temperature, drying humidity, etc.

[0060] In this way, the drying device 100 can be used for the material strip L that requires segmented control of the drying conditions, and the drying device 100 has wider adaptability.

[0061] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 1 , in at least one oven 10, the drying device 12 is located on one side of the tape assembly 11 in the height direction Z. In this case, the oven 10 primarily dries one surface of the web L passing through each tape assembly 11. In some examples, the oven 10 may dry the surface of the web L facing itself.

[0062] Of course, in other embodiments, the drying devices 12 in each oven 10 may also be located on both sides of the oven 10 in the height direction Z. That is, the drying devices 12 are provided on both the inner top wall B1 and the inner bottom wall B2 of the oven 10 .

[0063] Further to the embodiment, please refer to Figure 1, each layer of the oven 10 includes a conveyor assembly 11 and a drying device 12, and the drying device 12 of each layer of the oven 10 is located on the same side of the conveyor assembly 11 of the oven 10 in the height direction Z.

[0064] For example, the drying device 12 of each layer of the oven 10 is located above its own belt conveyor assembly 11 , or the drying device 12 of each layer of the oven 10 is located below its own belt conveyor assembly 11 .

[0065] The web L has two opposing surfaces, one or both of which can be coated. As the web L passes from the exit O of one drying oven 10 to the entrance I of another drying oven 10, its two surfaces flip in the height direction Z. That is, the surface of the web L facing downward in the first drying oven 10 flips upward upon entering the second drying oven 10. Because the drying devices 12 in the drying ovens 10 are located on the same side, the two opposing surfaces of the web L can be dried separately as it travels through the two adjacent drying ovens 10.

[0066] In this way, double-sided drying of the material strip L can be achieved, so that the drying device 100 is adapted to the coating equipment 1000 for double-sided coating.

[0067] Of course, in other embodiments, the drying devices 12 of the ovens 10 on each layer may not be located on the same side of the belt conveyor assemblies 11 on each layer, so as to accommodate single-sided coating or double-sided coating of the material strip L.

[0068] The specific structure of the drying device 12 may be, but is not limited to, the structure of the first drying device 12A described below, or other conventional structures such as resistance heating lamps may be adopted. The specific structure of the tape transport assembly 11 may be, but is not limited to, the structure of the first tape transport assembly 11A described below, or a conventional structure such as a plurality of rollers 11a arranged in a straight line may be adopted.

[0069] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 1 , at least one oven 10 includes a first conveyor assembly 11A. The first conveyor assembly 11A is arranged along a preset path F. The preset path F extends in a curved manner from an inlet I of the oven 10 toward an outlet O thereof.

[0070] As described above, each oven 10 includes a belt conveyor assembly 11 for guiding the material strip L. A first belt conveyor assembly 11A is provided within at least one oven layer 10. The first belt conveyor assembly 11A is arranged along a predetermined path F. Specifically, the material strip L guided by the first belt conveyor assembly 11A travels along the predetermined path F.

[0071] The first tape transport assembly 11A is arranged along a preset path F. The first tape transport assembly 11A can be arranged continuously along the preset path F, that is, the first tape transport assembly 11A is a continuous structure extending along the preset path F. In this case, the first tape transport assembly 11A can be a belt assembly, and the belt in the belt assembly is arranged continuously along the preset path F. The first tape transport assembly 11A can also be arranged intermittently along the preset path F. In this case, the first tape transport assembly 11A can include a plurality of rollers 11a, and the plurality of rollers 11a are arranged along the preset path F at intervals.

[0072] The preset path F extends in a curved line from the inlet I of the oven 10 toward the outlet O thereof. This means that the preset path F extends in a curved line from the inlet I of the oven 10 toward the outlet O of the oven 10. The curvature of the preset path F may be in the height direction Z or in the width direction of the oven 10 that is perpendicular to the height direction Z and the longitudinal direction Y.

[0073] "Curved extension" refers to a non-linear extension. Conventional belt transport assembly arrangements typically follow a linear horizontal path. However, the first belt transport assembly in this embodiment follows a non-linear vertical path. Given the same starting and ending points, the first belt transport assembly provides a longer drying path. This reduces the floor space required for the drying apparatus, even when the drying path remains the same.

[0074] In some embodiments, the predetermined path F is arranged to reciprocate in the height direction Z. That is, the predetermined path F is arranged to bend back and forth in an up and down manner during its extension. As an example, the predetermined path F can have a wavy, sawtooth, or square wave-like structure extending from the inlet I to the outlet O of the oven 10.

[0075] When the oven 10 includes the first belt transport assembly 11A, the first belt transport assembly 11A is arranged along a predetermined path F that curves back and forth vertically. This creates a longer drying route within the limited space of the oven 10, thereby improving the drying route of the drying device 100 and enhancing the drying efficiency and drying effect of the drying device 100. Furthermore, the reciprocating movement of the first belt transport assembly 11A in the height direction Z fully utilizes the space of the oven 10 in the height direction Z, thereby helping to reduce the width of the oven 10 and the footprint of the drying device 100.

[0076] It should be noted that the preset path F "is reciprocatingly arranged in the height direction Z" includes partially rising completely straight along the height direction Z and partially descending completely straight along the height direction Z (such as the preset path F is in the shape of a square wave); it also includes partially rising at an angle to the height direction Z and partially descending at an angle to the height direction Z (such as the preset path F is in the shape of a sawtooth wave or a sine wave).

[0077] In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 1 , the belt transport assemblies 11 within each layer of the ovens 10 are all first belt transport assemblies 11A. That is, each layer of the ovens 10 includes a first belt transport assembly 11A, and the first belt transport assemblies 11A of each layer of the ovens 10 are arranged along their respective predetermined paths F. In this way, the belt transport assemblies 11 of each layer of the ovens 10 can provide a longer drying path within the limited space of the ovens 10, significantly improving the drying path of the drying apparatus 100. While maintaining the same drying path, the drying apparatus 100 occupies a smaller floor space.

[0078] 1 , at least one oven 10 includes a first drying device 12A. The first drying device 12A includes a plurality of drying sections 12b disposed on the inner top wall B1 or the inner bottom wall B2 of the oven 10 and spaced apart along the longitudinal direction Y.

[0079] As described above, each layer of the oven 10 includes a drying device 12, wherein the drying device 12 of some ovens 10 is a first drying device 12A. The first drying device 12A includes multiple drying sections 12b, each of which can be controlled independently or synchronously.

[0080] The drying section 12b is a component / part / member that can dry the material strip L. Generally, when the material strip L passes through the drying area of ​​the drying section 12b, it can be dried by the drying section 12b. The drying area of ​​the drying section 12b is the surrounding area near the drying section 12b.

[0081] The inner top wall B1 and the inner bottom wall B2 of the oven 10 are two inner walls disposed opposite to each other in the height direction Z. Generally, the inner top wall B1 is located above the inner bottom wall B2.

[0082] At this time, the first drying device 12A includes multiple drying sections 12b, and each drying section 12b can be arranged on the same side of the material strip L at intervals along the preset path F. The heating of the same surface of the material strip L passing through the preset path F is more uniform, and the drying quality of the oven 10 is better.

[0083] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 1 , the oven 10 including the first conveyor assembly 11A further includes a first drying device 12A. The first conveyor assembly 11A encloses at least one first compartment Q1, which is open toward the drying section 12b, and a drying section 12b extends into each first compartment Q1.

[0084] In conjunction with the above, the predetermined path F extends in a zigzag pattern within a vertical plane, forming a first spaced region Q1 that opens toward the drying section 12b during this zigzag process. For ease of understanding, when the predetermined path F extends in a wave-like pattern, the first tape deck assembly 11A, while extending along the predetermined path F, defines either the first spaced region Q1 or the second spaced region Q2, as defined below, between the regions between two adjacent wave crests or between two adjacent wave troughs.

[0085] If the drying section 12b is not located on the inner top wall B1 of the oven 10, the first compartment Q1 is located between the peaks and is open upward, while the second compartment Q2 is located between the troughs and is open downward. Conversely, if the drying section 12b is located on the inner bottom wall B2 of the oven 10, the first compartment Q1 is located between the troughs, and the second compartment Q2 is located between the peaks. Of course, if the predetermined path F does not extend in a wave shape, the second compartment Q2 mentioned below need not be enclosed.

[0086] Each drying portion 12 b extends into each first compartment Q1 , and the material strip L passing through the preset path F forming the first compartment Q1 can be dried by the drying portion 12 b extending into the first compartment Q1 .

[0087] At this time, because each drying section 12b extends into each first compartment Q1, the same surface of the web L passing through the predetermined path F can be dried. That is, the oven 10 can be used to dry a single surface of the web L. Furthermore, the web L can pass through most of the area surrounding the drying section 12b, resulting in high drying efficiency of the web L and better energy efficiency of the drying section 12b.

[0088] In practical applications, a plurality of first spacing areas Q1 may be formed, and a drying portion 12 b is correspondingly inserted into each first spacing area Q1 .

[0089] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 1 , the drying section 12b includes an air supply cavity b1 and a plurality of air nozzles b2. The air supply cavity b1 is arranged in a vertical direction Z, and the plurality of air nozzles b2 are spaced apart along the periphery of the air supply cavity b1. Each air nozzle b2 opens toward the belt conveyor assembly 11 within the oven 10.

[0090] The air supply cavity b1 is a cavity structure with an internal air circulation cavity. Typically, the air supply cavity b1 is used to circulate hot and cold air. The drying section 12b may also include a heating device, which may be located inside or outside the air supply cavity b1. Each drying section 12b may share a heating device or have its own heating device.

[0091] The air supply cavity b1 is arranged in depth along the height direction Z, that is, the air supply cavity b1 has a certain depth in the height direction Z. When the tape transport assembly 11 is the first tape transport assembly 11A, the air supply cavity b1 can extend into the first interval area Q1.

[0092] The nozzles b2 are used to eject air from the air supply cavity b1 toward the tape transport assembly 11, facilitating precise air delivery. Each drying section 12b includes multiple nozzles b2, all arranged along the periphery of the air supply cavity b1. The periphery of the air supply cavity b1 refers to its outer surface, including the outer surface defined by the plane defined by the longitudinal direction Y and the height direction Z.

[0093] At this time, the drying section 12b utilizes the air supply cavity b1 in conjunction with the air nozzle b2, and utilizes the air nozzle b2 to divert the air in the air supply cavity b1. The drying section 12b has a larger drying range and high energy efficiency.

[0094] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of the structure shown in FIG1 .

[0095] In some embodiments, please refer to Figures 1 and 2, the first tape transport assembly 11A includes a plurality of rollers 11a, and the plurality of rollers 11a are arranged in sequence along a preset path F. The plurality of rollers 11a include a plurality of first rollers a1, and each first roller a1 is arranged opposite to the opening of a nozzle b2.

[0096] The rollers 11a are cylindrical or cylindrical structures that can rotate on their own. The rotation axes of the rollers 11a are usually parallel to each other.

[0097] The web L, passing through the first tape assembly 11A, is positioned between the first roller a1 and the corresponding nozzle b2. The nozzle b2 directly sprays hot or cold air onto the surface of the web L as it passes through the first roller a1. Because the first roller a1 and nozzle b2 are positioned opposite each other, the impact of the hot or cold air from nozzle b2 on the web L is offset by the first roller a1, improving the quality of the web L.

[0098] In some embodiments, referring to Figures 1 and 2 , nozzles b2 are positioned between adjacent first rollers a1 along the predetermined path F. Specifically, some nozzles b2 may be offset from the rollers 11a, rather than positioned directly opposite them. This increases the air delivery area of ​​the nozzles b2 on the web L, improving the drying effect and efficiency of the web L.

[0099] In some embodiments, please refer to Figures 1 and 2, the multiple rollers 11a also include multiple second rollers a2, and the second rollers a2 are arranged between the two groups of first rollers a1 arranged on opposite sides of the two adjacent drying sections 12b. The two adjacent drying sections 12b both include air nozzles b2 that supply air toward the second rollers a2.

[0100] As shown in Figure 1, the second roller a2 is a roller 11a that connects the drying areas of two adjacent drying sections 12b. It mainly serves to guide the material strip L from the drying area of ​​one drying section 12b to the drying area of ​​another drying section 12b and change the running direction of the material strip L.

[0101] At this time, the two adjacent drying sections 12b both include an air nozzle b2 that blows air toward the second roller a2, so that the material strip L can be dried well while traveling in the turning area, and the drying effect of the material strip L is good.

[0102] In some embodiments, referring to Figures 1 and 2, the multiple rollers 11a also include multiple third rollers a3, some of the first rollers a1 are located on one side of the drying section 12b in the height direction Z, and the remaining first rollers a1 are located on both sides of the drying section 12b in the longitudinal direction Y; any one of the part of the first rollers a1 is located between two third rollers a3 on the preset path F, and the third roller a3 and the remaining first rollers a1 are configured to contact opposite sides of the material strip L respectively.

[0103] At this time, the running direction of the material strip L can be changed by the third passing roller a3, and the third passing roller a3 combined with the second passing roller a2 can realize the reciprocating running of the material strip L in the height direction Z.

[0104] In some embodiments, referring to Figures 1 and 2 , the oven 10 including the first conveyor assembly 11A further includes at least one partition plate 13. The at least one partition plate 13 and one of the drying sections 12b are disposed on the inner top wall B1, and the other on the inner bottom wall B2. The first conveyor assembly 11A further encloses at least one second compartment Q2, which is arranged alternately with the first compartment Q1 along the longitudinal direction Y and is open away from the drying section 12b. The at least one partition plate 13 defines a plurality of temperature-controlled sections Q3 spaced apart along the longitudinal direction Y. Each partition plate 13 extends into a corresponding second compartment Q2. The drying sections 12b located within each temperature-controlled section Q3 are configured to independently control their operating states.

[0105] For the relationship between the second spacing region Q2 and the first spacing region Q1 , please refer to the above description and will not be repeated here.

[0106] The partition plates 13 are generally plate-shaped. When a plurality of partition plates 13 are provided, the plurality of partition plates 13 are spaced apart along the longitudinal direction Y of the oven 10. All the partition plates 13 divide the oven 10 into a plurality of spaces, and each drying section 12b is located in each space.

[0107] One of the partition plate 13 and the drying section 12b is located on the inner top wall B1 of the drying oven 10, while the other is located on the inner bottom wall B2 of the drying oven 10. The first belt transport assembly 11A, located between two adjacent peaks of the predetermined path F, is located within a temperature-controlled zone Q3. Within each temperature-controlled zone Q3, a drying section 12b is positioned, inserted into the first compartment Q1 of that zone. The operating status of the drying section 12b includes drying time, drying temperature, drying air speed, and start / stop.

[0108] At this time, the partition plate 13 is used to divide the space inside the oven 10 into multiple temperature control zones Q3. The working attitude of the drying section 12b of each temperature control zone Q3 is independently controlled, so that the oven 10 can achieve a working state of differential drying control of each section of the material strip L.

[0109] In one embodiment of the present application, a drying device 100 includes two layers of ovens 10 arranged one above the other, with the internal spaces of the ovens 10 on each layer being independent of each other. The ovens 10 on each layer are arranged in the same longitudinal direction and each has an inlet I and an outlet O arranged opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction Y. In any two adjacent layers of ovens 10, the inlet I of one layer of ovens 10 and the outlet O of the other layer of ovens 10 are located on the same side of the drying device 100 in the longitudinal direction Y. Each layer of ovens 10 includes a first conveyor assembly 11A and a first drying device 12A. The first conveyor assembly 11A is arranged along a preset path F, which extends from the inlet I of the oven 10 to its outlet O and reciprocates in the height direction Z during the extension process. The first tape transport assembly 11A encloses a first spacing area Q1 and a second spacing area Q2 arranged alternately along the longitudinal direction Y. The first spacing area Q1 is open toward the drying section 12b, and the second spacing area Q2 is open away from the drying section 12b. Each drying section 12b extends into a corresponding first spacing area Q1.

[0110] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of a coating apparatus 1000 according to one or more embodiments.

[0111] In addition, referring to FIG3 , an embodiment of the present application further provides a coating apparatus 1000 comprising a coating device 200 and the aforementioned drying device 100. The coating device 200 is used to apply a slurry layer to a material strip L. Conventional options can be employed for the specific construction of the coating device 200. As described above, the coating apparatus 1000 may further comprise a winding mechanism and an unwinding mechanism 300. The coating apparatus 1000 includes all of the aforementioned beneficial effects, which will not be elaborated upon herein.

[0112] In some embodiments, with continued reference to FIG3 , the coating device 200 includes a front-side coating device 200 a and a back-side coating device 200 b , which are located on opposite sides of the drying device 100 in the longitudinal direction Y. The front-side coating device 200 a and the inlet I located on the same side of the drying device 100 are configured to coat the front side L1 of the web L entering one of the inlets I. The back-side coating device 200 b and the outlet O located on the same side of the drying device 100 are configured to coat the back side L2 of the web L exiting one of the outlets O.

[0113] Please refer to the conventional configuration for the specific configurations of the front coating device 200a and the back coating device 200b. The front coating device 200a is used to coat the front surface L1 of the material strip L, and the back coating device 200b is used to coat the back surface L2 of the material strip L. The front surface L1 and back surface L2 of the material strip L are two surfaces disposed opposite to each other in the thickness direction of the material strip.

[0114] For example, the drying device 100 includes two layers of ovens 10. The front coating device 200a is used to coat the front side L1 of the web L before the inlet I of one of the ovens 10, and the back coating device 200b is used to coat the back side L2 of the web L after exiting the outlet O of the oven 10.

[0115] The oven 10 with the inlet I and the front coating device 200a located on the same side is used to dry the front side L1 of the material strip L, and the oven 10 with the inlet I and the back coating device 200b located on the same side is used to dry the back side L2 of the material strip L.

[0116] At this time, the coating device 1000 can coat both the front side L1 and the back side L2 of the material strip L, thereby achieving double-sided coating of the material strip L. Moreover, the coating of the front side L1 and the back side L2 of the material strip L is performed in steps. The slurry on the back side L2 can be applied after the slurry on the front side L1 is completely dried, and the slurry on the back side L2 is completely dried, which helps to improve the drying effect of the material strip L.

[0117] Of course, in other embodiments, the coating device 200 may also include only the front-side coating device 200a or only the back-side coating device 200b, or the front-side coating device 200a and the back-side coating device 200b may be arranged at different positions.

[0118] In addition, an embodiment of the present application also provides a battery production system, which includes the above-mentioned coating device 1000.

[0119] The technical features of the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. In order to make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-mentioned embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0120] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementation methods of the present application. While the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that a person of ordinary skill in the art may make various modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present application, and these modifications and improvements fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present patent application shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A drying device (100), comprising: At least two layers of ovens (10) are stacked and arranged along the height direction (Z) of the drying device (100), and the internal spaces of the ovens (10) of each layer are independent of each other; The ovens (10) of each layer are arranged in the same longitudinal direction and have an inlet (I) and an outlet (O) arranged opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction (Y); in any two adjacent layers of the ovens (10), the inlet (I) of any one layer of the ovens (10) and the outlet (O) of the other layer of the ovens (10) are located on the same side of the drying device (100) in the longitudinal direction (Y).

2. The drying device (100) according to claim 1, wherein: At least two layers of the ovens (10) are configured to be independently controlled.

3. The drying device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Each layer of the oven (10) comprises a conveyor assembly (11) and a drying device (12), and the drying device (12) of each layer of the oven (10) is located on the same side of the conveyor assembly (11) of the oven (10) in the height direction (Z).

4. The drying device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: At least one layer of the oven (10) comprises a first conveyor assembly (11A), wherein the first conveyor assembly (11A) is arranged along a preset path (F), and the preset path (F) extends in a zigzag manner from the entrance (I) of the oven (10) toward the exit (O) thereof.

5. The drying device (100) according to claim 4, wherein: The preset path (F) is reciprocatingly arranged in the height direction (Z).

6. The drying device (100) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: At least one layer of the oven (10) comprises a first drying device (12A); The first drying device (12A) comprises a plurality of drying sections (12b), wherein the plurality of drying sections (12b) are disposed on an inner top wall (B1) or an inner bottom wall (B2) of the oven (10) and are arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction (Y).

7. The drying device (100) according to claim 6, wherein: The oven (10) including the first belt conveyor assembly (11A) further includes the first drying device (12A); The first tape transport assembly (11A) encloses at least one first spacing area (Q1), the first spacing area (Q1) is open toward the drying section (12b), and each first spacing area (Q1) extends into a corresponding drying section (12b).

8. The drying device (100) according to claim 6, wherein: The drying section (12b) comprises an air supply cavity (b1) and a plurality of air nozzles (b2), wherein the air supply cavity (b1) is arranged in depth along the height direction (Z), and the plurality of air nozzles (b2) are arranged at intervals along the outer periphery of the air supply cavity (b1); Each of the air nozzles (b2) is arranged to open toward the belt conveyor assembly (11) in the oven (10).

9. The drying device (100) according to claim 8, wherein: The first tape guide assembly (11A) comprises a plurality of rollers (11a), and the plurality of rollers (11a) are sequentially arranged at intervals along the preset path (F); The plurality of rollers (11a) include a plurality of first rollers (a1), and each of the first rollers (a1) is arranged opposite to an opening of the air nozzle (b2).

10. The drying device (100) according to claim 9, wherein: The air nozzle (b2) is arranged correspondingly between two adjacent first rollers (a1) on the preset path (F).

11. The drying device (100) according to claim 9, wherein: The multiple rollers (11a) also include multiple second rollers (a2), and the second rollers (a2) are arranged between two groups of the first rollers (a1) arranged on opposite sides of two adjacent drying sections (12b), and the two adjacent drying sections (12b) both include the air nozzle (b2) that supplies air toward the second rollers (a2).

12. The drying device (100) according to claim 7, wherein: The oven (10) including the first belt conveyor assembly (11A) further includes at least one partition plate (13); One of the at least one partition plate (13) and the plurality of drying parts (12b) is disposed on the inner top wall (B1), and the other is disposed on the inner bottom wall (B2); The first tape transport assembly (11A) further encloses at least one second spacer (Q2), the second spacer (Q2) being arranged alternately with the first spacer (Q1) along the longitudinal direction (Y); the second spacer (Q2) is open away from the drying section (12b); The at least one partition plate (13) is spaced apart in the longitudinal direction (Y) to form a plurality of temperature control zones (Q3), and each of the partition plates (13) extends into a corresponding second spacing zone (Q2), and the drying sections (12b) located in each of the temperature control zones (Q3) are configured to be independently controlled in terms of working state.

13. A coating device (1000), comprising a coating apparatus (200) and a drying apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. The coating device (1000) according to claim 13, wherein: The coating device (200) comprises a front coating device (200a) and a back coating device (200b), which are located on opposite sides of the drying device in the longitudinal direction (Y); The front coating device (200a) and the entrance (I) are located on the same side of the drying device (100), and the front coating device (200a) is used to perform a coating operation on the front side (L1) of the material strip (L) entering one of the entrances (I); The reverse coating device (200b) and the outlet (O) are located on the same side of the drying device (100), and the reverse coating device (200b) is used to perform a coating operation on the reverse side (L2) of the material strip (L) exiting one of the outlets (O).

15. A battery production system, comprising the coating device (1000) according to claim 13 or 14.

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